Why do so many suburbs have similar names or parts of names? (Chicago: to live in, farmers)

[Alacran]

Oak Park
Forest Park
Park Forest

Maywood
Bellwood
River forest
Riverside


Oaks, woods, forests, rivers AHHHH

[sunnyandcloudydays]

Originally Posted by Alacran

Oak Park
Forest Park
Park Forest

Maywood
Bellwood
River forest
Riverside


Oaks, woods, forests, rivers AHHHH

At one time i read where Heights was used for the purpose of settlers coming to an area. If the village had the term Heights in the name it was not considered low land to farmers.

Whether that holds true ?? That is just what I read so its someone else's opinion.
Palos Heights, Chicago Heights, South Chicago Heights, Harwood Heights.
If you think about other cities across the nation its burbs also have the word Heights like Shaker Heights around Cleveland.

Add to your burbs with wood
Homewood,crestwood, lynwood and glenwood
I also believe several towns ,villages etc were renamed.

[chet everett]

Oak Brook, Northbrook, Willowbrook, Willow Springs, Western Springs, West Chicago, North Chicago, Northbrook ... Rinse lather repeat...

[cubssoxfan]

It's all done to confuse newcomers

[Tex?Il?]

Americans love to be close to nature. Always have and always will. It has partly to do with our frontier heritage.

And if you can have the best of both worlds: close to the country and close to the city, why not emphasize the natural features?

[sunnyandcloudydays]

Yes, I do believe the names of alot of burbs are easy on the ears on purpose.

Interesting how they changed names to make an area seem pleasant or serene.

[Tex?Il?]

Originally Posted by sunnyandcloudydays

Yes, I do believe the names of alot of burbs are easy on the ears on purpose.

Interesting how they changed names to make an area seem pleasant or serene.

I wouldn't necessarily say they "changed names". Those particular communities have been around for a very, very long time. And in the early days of railroad suburbs, people even then, for those with the means to live in the early railroad suburbs would be attracted to names given by land speculators who promoted the natural beauty of Riverside, River Forest, Oak Brook, Northbrook, etc.

[5Lakes]

Originally Posted by sunnyandcloudydays

At one time i read where Heights was used for the purpose of settlers coming to an area. If the village had the term Heights in the name it was not considered low land to farmers.

Whether that holds true ?? That is just what I read so its someone else's opinion.
Palos Heights, Chicago Heights, South Chicago Heights, Harwood Heights.
If you think about other cities across the nation its burbs also have the word Heights like Shaker Heights around Cleveland.

Add to your burbs with wood
Homewood,crestwood, lynwood and glenwood
I also believe several towns ,villages etc were renamed.

In Cleveland the suburbs that contain "Heights" in their name are typically at noticeably higher elevations than the neighboring communities, so it makes more sense there.

[SJaye]

Most of the River ones are on a River; Riverside, Riverwoods on the Des Plaines, Fox River Grove on the Fox. There are a TON of burbs with Park and Grove in their name. Those ones don't exactly scream nature to me either, as a park is usually a place built by a city or town. I also don't get the ones with Hills in their name (Barrington Hills, Palos Hills). Is there anything in those towns that can really be considered Hills?

[sunnyandcloudydays]

Originally Posted by 5Lakes

In Cleveland the suburbs that contain "Heights" in their name are typically at noticeably higher elevations than the neighboring communities, so it makes more sense there.

that makes sense